Welcome back!

Show up at Italian restaurant Vespaio on any given weeknight and you’re usually in for an hour wait. There is one exception—SXSW weeks. This is curious, given Vespaio’s address: Located on South Congress, just blocks from the popular South by South Jose pop-up stage and the iconic Continental Club, the restaurant couldn’t be closer to the heart of the festival's music scene. Still, special-occasion prices and the romantic, let-you-linger atmosphere is contrary to the grab-and-go mindset of most concertgoers. Slow down with a couple of bottles of Nebbiolo alongside dishes such as the deep-heated Cacio e Pepe or generous plate of lasagna, made with a veal, beef, and pork Bolognese.